Aug

25

Electric Utility Fundamentals + Insights – WEI Hosted (Aug 25)

This program provides utility and service company employees with a broad understanding of how the electric utility industry works and a better awareness of their own roles within their organizations. Topics include (1) Fundamentals of Electricity, (2) Generation Choices, (3) How Utilities Make Money, (4) Transmission + Electricity Markets, (5) Electric Utility Customers, (6) Distributed Energy Resources, and (7) Emerging Issues. The class is delivered virtually over two half-days or in a one-day format at the host utility's chosen location. WEI provides nearly 100 customized Utility Fundamentals classes each year, hosted by WEI Member Companies on-site, to provide a unique, individualized training experience for their employees. Contact WEI for more information.

General Details

  • Program Chair(s)
  • Eric Christenson, Director of Program Curriculum + Analytics

    • Program Location
    • Western Energy Institute Facilities
    • 1050 SW 6th Ave, Suite 325Portland, Oregon 97204
    • Who Should Attend
    • Wondering if this course is right for you or your staff…

      • Are you new to the energy industry?
      • Have you worked in just one or two areas of the organization?
      • Are you looking for a broader perspective of the business of electricity and emerging issues?
      • Do you work for a service provider to the energy industry who wants to learn more about your customer?

      If the answer is yes to any of these, this course was designed for you.

  • Registration Options
  • Member: $499 USD
    Regular: $699 USD

    The member registration price increases $100 after August 8, 2022 and regular registration price increases $200. Registration includes all course materials, continental breakfast, and a catered lunch.

  • General Cancellation Policy
  • Due to contractual obligations, cancellations received 15 business days prior to the program will receive a full refund. Cancellations received 6 to 14 business days prior to the event will receive a refund, less a $100 administrative fee. No shows and last minute cancellations, 5 business days prior to the event or less, will be responsible for the full registration fee. Substitutions from your organization for the same event are always welcome.
  • Participation Policy
  • Western Energy Institute programs and events are open to energy companies (including gas production and electric generation, gas and electric transmission and gas and electric distribution utilities). Select programs and events are open to energy industry product and service suppliers. Programs and events are closed to all media representatives and to the general public. Recording is not permitted for any portion of the event.
  • For more information contact Eric Christenson, Director of Program Curriculum + Analytics at (971) 303-2118.

Agenda

Thursday, August 25, 2022

7:30 AM - 8:00 AM

Registration and Check-In

Continental breakfast provided.

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Participant Introductions and Roundtable

Students share their utility industry background and what they hope to learn throughout the day. Please be prepared to share at least one thing you hope to gain from taking this class.

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Module 1: Fundamentals of Electricity

– Key influencers in the history of electricity
– Utility definitions and electricity terms
– AC vs DC power, transformers and the electric grid
– Electricity generation and “the Utility loop”
– Keys to power quality

9:30 AM - 9:45 AM

Break

9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Module 2: Generation Choices

– Number ONE rule of the electric grid
– Fossil fuel options
– Traditional low-carbon generation
– Today's renewables and future sources
– Grid-scale energy storage

10:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Break

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Module 3: How Utilities Make Money

– Types of utilities
– Regulatory bodies
– Financial terms and definitions
– How companies set rates
– Rate-making exercise

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Break for Lunch

Full lunch provided. Please indicate any dietary restrictions with your registration.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Module 4: Transmission + Electricity Markets

– Service territories
– Federal regulators and departments
– NERC regions and the WECC
– Energy balancing

2:00 PM - 2:15 PM

Break

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Module 5: Electric Utility Customers

– Types and expectations of electricity customers
– Evolution of the energy customer
– Customer touch points and the Trusted Energy Advisor goal

3:15 - 3:30 PM

Break

3:30 PM - 4:45 PM

Module 6: Distributed Energy Resources + Module 7: Emerging Issues

– Demand response
– Energy storage
– Energy efficiency
– Transportation Electrification
– Distributed generation
– Grid Hardening + Resiliency
– Solar generation + Impacts from Variable Energy Resources
– Long-Term Resource Planning

3:45 PM - 4:30 PM

Module 7: Emerging Issues

– Grid hardening and resiliency
– Greenhouse gas emission reductions
– Operational and financial impacts from variable energy resources (solar + wind)
– Integrated Resource Planning

4:45 PM - 5:00 PM

Q&A and Wrap-Up

We circle back to the original expectations of students to ensure that expectations were met.

Hotel + Travel

  • Reservation Instructions
  • The Hilton Portland Downtown is across the street from WEI’s office. Due to the size of the event, there is no defined room block.

Onsite Safety + Health Info

Effective August 18, 2022, proof of vaccination status or results of a negative COVID-19 test will not be required for admittance into most WEI-hosted programs.

WEI continues to monitor all federal level CDC, Canadian government and public health agency recommendations, as well as local ordinances, as a policy baseline for in-person programs. We encourage all attendees to review the current guidelines related to isolation and precautions prior to traveling to a WEI event, as well as guidance for traveling to and from Canada, which may differ from guidance for traveling to or from the United States.

Some WEI-hosted programs may require proof of vaccination status, if essential for participation, in which case WEI will communicate this requirement in advance of the program start date.

Please refer to WEI’s Safety + Health Code of Conduct for other important considerations.

Meet The Speakers

Eric Christenson

Western Energy Institute

Director of Program Curriculum + Analytics
Learn More

Eric Christenson brings 20 years’ industry experience and an inextinguishable energy for new ideas to the Western Energy Institute team.

In his role as Director of Program Curriculum + Engagement, Mr. Christenson works to ensure key industry information and education are available to all WEI Members and others in the energy business. He leads a team that provides nearly seventy courses annually to thousands of industry professionals. He also supports overall Member engagement and his teammates with his professional background in database marketing experience, analytics, and business consulting.

Mr. Christenson joined WEI after a wonderful career at Portland General Electric. While at PGE he developed and managed the company’s Enterprise Risk Management program and his ability to grasp complicated, interconnected opportunities brought him to work with several other areas including operations benchmarking, regulatory affairs, fleet services, AMI, and finance.

Prior to joining PGE, Mr. Christenson developed his skills in a leading internet marketing company and is role leading Strategy and Analysis at a lending company.

Mr Christenson earned his Bachelors in Mathematics and also in Economics from the University of Oregon. He has served the community as a past President of the Oregon Society of Association Management and Vice President of the Greater Portland Soccer District, and currently serves on the Executive Committee of Washington County’s citizen advisory organization.